Strong-willed and independent, Rachel Held Evans couldn’t sew a button on a blouse before she embarked on a radical life experiment—a year of biblical womanhood. Intrigued by the traditionalist resurgence that led many of her friends to abandon their careers to assume traditional gender roles in the home, Evans decides to try it for herself, vowing to take all of the Bible’s instructions for women as literally as possible for a year.

Evans learns the hard way that her quest for biblical womanhood requires more than a “gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). It means growing out her hair, making her own clothes, covering her head, obeying her husband, rising before dawn, abstaining from gossip, remaining silent in church, and even camping out in the front yard during her period.

With just the right mixture of humor and insight, compassion and incredulity, A Year of Biblical Womanhood is an exercise in scriptural exploration and spiritual contemplation. What does God truly expect of women, and is there really a prescription for biblical womanhood? Come along with Evans as she looks for answers in the rich heritage of biblical heroines, models of grace, and all-around women of valor.

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Quotes & Awards

A New York Times Bestseller

Listener Opinions

Shannon | 2/17/2014

" I don't really know how to evaluate this book. In one sense, I enjoyed reading it, but in another is took a lot if work to get through it. I really liked the parts where the author talks about her year of embracing different tenets of biblical womanhood. I didn't really care for all the background and research she infused. It was non-ending and made it feel more like I was reading a college thesis than a book for enjoyment. It was just too much, and I think it took more away from her experiences than it added to it. Just ok overall. "

Lorna | 2/16/2014

" Rating is closer to 3 3/4 stars. Enjoyed reading about how she wanted to live as Biblically a close to the Biblical woman as possible. Very interesting reading. As a woman, there were lots of things I agreed with and learned several new things along the way. Reading this has opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and I loved her profiles of the Biblical women. Will definitely read again. "

Teri Lynne Underwood | 2/15/2014

" Honest memoir by Rachel Held Evans. I appreciated her struggle to reconcile what she expected to find with what she did fine throughout this experience. "

Katie Axelson | 2/8/2014

" Another book I wanted to look at from an academic prospective. Rachel tries to live out Biblical womanhood as literally as possible for a year, each month focusing on a different characteristic. If you want to be amused and challenged at the same time, read Biblical Womanhood in its entirety. "

Lindsey | 1/30/2014

" Very good read -- I read a lot, and it made me think about how I read the Bible, what I think I know but really don't, and how many more stories about women are in scripture that I never learned in Sunday school. "

Dee Bynum | 1/19/2014

" Don't let the title scare you! I believe this is a very honest look at how we can live as loving, intelligent women in our world, believing our faith, being open-minded, and having a sense of humor! Well done! "

Erin | 1/19/2014

" No matter your views, this book isn't what you think it will be. Evans challenges readers to drop the adjective "biblical" as if it were some catch-all phrase and to study the many, varied, "women of valor" present in the text. Incisive, witty, and respectful, Evans provides hope to women (and men) who have struggled with the church's definition of what a woman should and shouldn't be - in relationship to men, to the church, and to each other. I found this book to be a breath of fresh air and a challenging encouragement to clothe myself "in strength and dignity, and laugh at the days to come." "

Melanie Springer | 1/13/2014

" Lots of really important material, and an important read for anyone. Challenges notions of the "biblical womanhood" paradigm that has been used to keep women silent, submissive, and that hasn't allowed women to be all God intends them to be. Still, parts of the book felt scattered to me, a little random and contrived: which is always the problem with schtick lit. "

Lori Emery | 1/1/2014

" Didn't finish the book, but that's not because it wasn't good. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book, but I had another book I was more interested in at the time and the book was due back at the library. I love Rachel though - her blog is worth checking out. "

Julia | 12/26/2013

" Loved this one. Funny, but also a great way to learn More about the bible. Very well researched. "

Lauren Bassford | 12/12/2013

" I thought this was a really interesting look into the author's definition of "biblical womanhood." While I disagreed with her theology and her methodology some, I found it a useful read, and had some ah-hah moments of my own. "

Rebekah | 11/29/2013

" I really appreciated both the depth of research and the sense of humor in this incredibly relatable book. I learned a lot and enjoyed Rachel's comical and very thoughtful sharing of her exploits. Great read! "

robin marie | 10/16/2013

" An interesting read. I especially appreciated comparing her evangelical background, understanding and interpretations of the bible to my own faith. "

Leslie Klingensmith | 9/22/2013

" Liked it much more than I thought I would. Funny, smart, and insightful. "

Haley | 9/13/2013

" I like Rachel Held Evans, so it's not too surprising that I liked this book. There was a fair amount of controversy surrounding it from the usual suspects, but I didn't find it to be controversial at all. I thought it was funny, informative, brave, and well worth the read. "

Elizabeth | 9/3/2013

" Thought provoking and funny. I read it in a day. I didn't agree with all of her theology, but I identified a lot with her struggles. "

Becca | 7/27/2013

" Reading this with 3 friends. Love Evans "experiment" & been selecting one challenge per week. I'm far from being a biblical woman, but love the perspective I'm gaining. "

Melissa | 2/4/2013

" I enjoyed her sense of humor mixed in with genuine insights and a firm grasp of scripture. An interesting read! "

About the Author

Rachel Held Evans,
an award-winning writer, is a popular blogger and the author of Evolving in Monkey Town: How a Girl Who Knew
All the Answers Learned to Ask the Questions.

About the Narrator

Shannon McManus, award-winning narrator, is a Los Angeles–based actor, writer, and voice artist. Her natural vocal abilities and extensive theater training have led to work in audiobook narration, commercial voice-over, and animation. Critical praise includes an Audiofile Earphones Award and a Publishers Weekly Listen Up! Award in children’s and young adult fiction.

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